Instapaper App Review

Save, read and manage content from all over the Internet

Instapaper is a handy application for reading and managing web based contents at a later stage and on various devices.

Suitable for Mac, desktop and mobile gadgets, this application allows you to save information from a website instantly to a platform and access it again at any other time, simplifying the process of saving and accessing information.

Instapaper App – Overview

Instapaper (visit website) was founded by Marco Arment in January 2008. As the application gained popularity, Betaworks took over the reins in 2013.

The goals of Instapaper are allowing saving and retrieving web information in an effortless way. It eliminates the tedious tasks to copy and paste information: files, photos, emails, videos and more or saving links to access the information at a later stage.

By simply selecting a specific button; you can instantly share the information on linked mobile devices. This tool is utilized at its best in scenarios where large amounts of information need to be stored and retrieved.

Highlights and Features

1. Ease of use

Accessibility – Instapaper is available for download on the official webpage and can be downloaded on iPad, iPhone, Android devices and phones and Kindle, including Kindle Fire. Other e-readers supported are Nook Color and Nook Tablet. The application contains Kindle compatible files that allow compatibility with the version of the information you saved. Android devices include Google Nexus and Samsung Galaxy Tablets. Links to device downloads can be found on the webpage.

Bookmarking – The webpage offers a button which you can drag onto the bookmark bar of your browser. To save web information, you simply select the button on the bookmark and save the data and files to Instapaper. You also have the option to drag and save a Text Bookmarklet button to the bookmark bar. Information shown on your webpage will then be converted into a more readable format. From this format you can then save it, again with the click of a button, to Instapaper. Again easing your web information search experience.

New features – Since Betaworks took over operations, Instapaper gained new exiting features and improved existing features. Popular features include Text to Speech, Highlights and an accelerated reading option. Even though Text to Speech was seen as a popular feature, it was limited to only recognizing English text and speech. The limitation was since removed and Instapaper now recognizes the language of the text you input and creates an audio version in the text language. This is a popular benefit for people who do not have time to reread the articles.

SpeedReading – This function (read more about speed reading apps) assists in highlighting the text to read, eliminating the habitual tendency of the brain to repeat certain words as you read them. With this function you improve your ease and speed of reading, while still recognizing and remembering what you read, but at a speed of up to three times faster than you would normally read. This function comes with the premium subscription only.

API – An API function is available in a premium package. Still respecting the aim of use goal, the API function allows third party applications to save URL’s to the app. The implementation of API is relatively simple, but it requires OAuth. Some clients experience difficulty with OAuth, an authorization framework, but it can be overcome with sufficient research and knowledge. Once you master OAuth and glide through API, every problem you experienced previously will be worth your while.

2. Registration and Packages

Account – To start using it, you will need to create an account. Registration is free and two types of packages are available: a free package and a premium package. The free profile gives you access to a limited amount of features, while still including the basic and popular features. The premium package has no limitations and is payable either monthly or annually.

Pinterest – Recently Instapaper announced that they will be joining forces with Pinterest. True to the mission of ease of sharing, users can now share Pinterest post, a very popular social platform, via Instapaper. This way both applications are introduced to a larger market and ultimately create better products and services.

Instapaper Review – The Verdict

Instapaper is a tool that is already proven successful. In a world that is dominated by technology and is fast-paced, it can add to effective prioritizing and time management. It is a product I would recommend to persons working with large volumes of information and it is also a product I would use in my personal and professional life.